Spacecraft Assembly and Integration SME - SR-1

Position Description:

This position provides subject matter expert level support to Space Reactor -1 (SR-1) Vehicle Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) in the areas of Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T).  SR-1 Freedom is a pathfinder interplanetary mission slated to launch in late 2028 as humanity's first spacecraft powered by a nuclear fission reactor beyond Earth's orbit. This position can be located at the Marshall Space Flight Center or the Kennedy Space Center.  

Specific support to be provided includes, but is not limited to, the following:

•   Manage, under the discretion of the AI&T civil servant lead, payload processing facility (PPF) requirements, including coordinating requirements with the SR-1 Element representatives and the SR-1 launch site team, and making recommendations for facility selection(s). This role includes reviewing and contributing to facility requirements documentation.  After facility selection, this role includes continuing to coordinate with launch site team to ensure facility readiness for SR-1 operations.

•   Manage, under the discretion of the AI&T civil servant lead, SR-1 Element and System level requirements for SR-1 vehicle and payload operations, maintenance, assembly, integration, avionics and software checkouts, and other testing at the launch site. This role includes reviewing requirements; communication and review coordination of requirements with and between SR-1 Element representatives, the launch site team, and the engineering organizations that will be performing the operations; establishing and communicating requirements guidelines; requirements tracking; identifying potential cost, schedule, and safety risks; and forming technical recommendations.

•   Review and coordinate work procedures for SR-1 vehicle and payload operations, maintenance, assembly, integration and other testing at the launch site. This role includes reviewing procedures; communication and review coordination with and between SR-1 Element representatives, the launch site team, and the engineering organizations performing the operations; identifying potential cost, schedule, and safety risks; and forming technical recommendations.

•   Develop the AI&T Plan document in collaboration with engineering, which will include a high-level description of the AI&T objectives and approach, description of operations and other testing to be performed at the launch site, overview of processes for managing requirements and procedures, roles and responsibilities, and facilities.

•  Provide other technical support for mission activities to SR-1 personnel as needed.  Duties may include, but not be limited to, the following:

•   Review and contribution to all SR-1 AI&T documents, and other SR-1 documents as required

•   Providing programmatic and technical recommendations

•   Assisting in planning activities

•   Supporting trade studies

•   Performing systems analyses

•   Making technical risk management inputs

•   Supporting reviews, working groups and boards

•   Providing periodic status inputs to project

Requires travel in the domestic USA (<25%).

Here’s What You’ll Need:

An appropriate engineering or technical degree preferably from an ABET accredited university. Typically, educational requirements are the equivalent of a BS with at least 25 years experience, or a MS with 23 years 

• At least 10 years of experience in spacecraft/launch vehicle development, systems engineering, testing and/or operations, preferably NASA.
• Experience or familiarity with space systems hardware/facility requirements and capabilities. 
• Experience developing and documenting requirements, processes, or procedures.  
• Knowledge of space vehicle design, functions, terminology, interfaces, technical disciplines, and system design. 
• Self-motivated, proactive, and effective team player with strong customer relations skills, familiar with working in a dynamic work environment.
• Demonstrated experience building strong working relationships with multiple stakeholders, organizing, and facilitating meetings. Ability to read the room in meetings with customers and stakeholders.
• Ability to interface and collaborate with all levels of engineering and project management with the ability to lead and influence for consensus.
• Intermediate skills using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Outlook).
• Excellent written and oral technical communication skills, with the ability to clearly define and describe a technical subject to peers across various engineering disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering project-level briefings and capability to communicate with project level stakeholders and partners.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Complex system integrated test and check-out planning or execution.
• Experience in project planning and technical integration.
• Nuclear technology understanding and experience.
• Experience with planning, supporting, and executing space/DoW hardware design, development test and evaluation (DDT&E) efforts.

Familiarity with:

• Kennedy Space Center or other launch site requirements and procedures
• Launch site communications requirements
• Space Flight Vehicle assembly and integration operations
• Familiarity with specific NASA Systems Engineering policies and procedures related to technical management such as the NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements (NPR 7120.5) and NASA Systems Engineering Processes and Requirements (NPR 7123.1).

Essential Functions

Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required.

Work Environment:

Office environment. Requires ability to provide clear, concise, accurate and timely communication, both verbally and in writing (100%). Requires ability to interact professionally with co-workers, management, and client (100%). Requires travel in the domestic USA (5%).  Requires ability to work at a computer for long periods of time (100%).

Physical Requirements:

Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers, management, and with our client at NASA facilities to discuss technical issues (10%). Also, requires sitting for extended periods of time at a desk to write reports and perform engineering tasks (80%). Requires ability to use stairs or elevators for access between floors and multiple buildings at NASA and our facilities (10%).

Equipment and Machines:

Requires ability to operate a personal computer, a telephone, fax machine, copier, calculator, and other general office equipment (100%).

Attendance:

Normal workday 7:30-4:30, Monday thru Friday.  Minimal overtime may be required (10%) to meet schedule milestones and to support technical demands of the job. Regular attendance is a necessity, and adequate arrangements for delegating duties during absences are required.

Other Essential Functions:

The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to make rational decisions, and to exercise good judgment is essential (100%). Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.

#ESSCA #ASED #Amentum

Compensation Details:

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview:

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off and holidays

• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)

• Educational reimbursement

• Parental leave

• Employee stock purchase plan

• Tax-saving options

• Disability and life insurance

• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting:

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.